DOH names Phl’s 3rd ‘mother-baby friendly’ hospital

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has declared the Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital in Binondo, Manila as the country’s third “mother-baby friendly” hospital.

Hospital director Dr. Ted Martin made the announcement during the blessing of the hospital’s new ENT-HNS endoscopy unit and coblator system last Friday.

The DOH acknowledged the Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital’s promotion of breastfeeding, putting the newborn in the mother’s hospital room and “unang yakap (first embrace),” wherein the baby is made to lie beside the mother right after delivery, Martin said.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona previously named Fabella Hospital and the Vicente Sotto Hospital in Cebu as mother-baby friendly hospitals.